Works for
ExfoliationGluconolactoneWorks well
“A layer of Volcanic Clusters & silica is combined with exfoliating AHAs + PHA to gently smooth, and exfoliate skin and keep excess oils at bay.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: gluconolactone.
Anti-blemishGluconolactoneNot delivered
“Helps reduce impurities, blackhead and dead skin cells”
This product contains ingredients (gluconolactone) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · GluconolactoneWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: gluconolactone
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Gluconolactone, TocopherolWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains gluconolactone.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Arginine, Gluconolactone + 2 moreWorks
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
arginine, caprylyl glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine, caprylyl glycol.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Gluconolactone, TocopherolMay help
This product contains antioxidants (gluconolactone) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propanediol~4.6–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about Propanediol1,2-hexanediol~1.7–2.5%
Arginine~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineGluconolactone~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneSilica~1.6–2.4%
Lithium magnesium sodium silicate~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylyl glycol~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.55–1.25%
Calcium chloride~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a thicker product consistency. Might be irritating
More about Calcium chlorideSodium metaphosphate~0.2–0.7%
Volcanic ash~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyquaternium-10~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish
More about Polyquaternium-10Tocopherol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, Arginine, Gluconolactone, Silica, Lithium magnesium sodium silicate, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Calcium chloride, Sodium metaphosphate, Volcanic ash, Lactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer, Polyquaternium-10, Tocopherol
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| innisfreeVolcanic PHA Pore Refining TonerYOUR PRODUCT | FaceGymSkin Changer 2-in-1 Exfoliating Succinic Acid and Pumpkin Extract Essence Toner | BeautyAct5% AHA + 5% PHA Glow Toner | DanuceraD22 Tonic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% | 64% | 64% |
| Price | $24.00 | $50.86+$26.86 | — | $42.00+$18.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Betaine | Lactobionic Acid | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: The Vegan Glow Kombucha PHA TonerDr.Different Scaling Toner
Product summary
"innisfree - Volcanic PHA Pore Refining Toner" is effective for: Exfoliation, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (gluconolactone 2.10% - 3.10%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). PHAs (gluconolactone) especially are great for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
- Humectants (arginine 2.70% - 4.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "innisfree" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
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